Toronto film festival split over Gaza war documentary

Tuesday 09 September 2025 - 11:10

By: Sahili Aya

Toronto film festival split over Gaza war documentary

A documentary about a retired Israeli general is at the center of controversy as it prepares for its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, highlighting deep divisions within Hollywood over the Gaza conflict.

The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue tells the story of retired General Noam Tibon, who saved his family and others during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks. Produced in Canada, the film incorporates body-camera footage from Hamas militants, raising legal and ethical concerns.

The festival had initially pulled the documentary from its lineup, citing “legal uncertainty” over the footage, but later reinstated it after facing accusations of censorship. More than 1,000 entertainment figures, including Amy Schumer and Debra Messing, signed a petition claiming the decision silenced Jewish voices. Director Barry Avrich dismissed the legal concerns, saying, “As far as I know, Hamas does not have a copyright office.”

Festival organizers later apologized for the “pain and frustration” caused and said they had found “a solution” that addressed security and programming concerns.

Hollywood divided over Gaza

The debate reflects a broader rift in Hollywood. In an opinion piece for the New York Times, veteran journalist Sharon Waxman argued that the war in Gaza has “pitted Hollywood against itself,” as the industry struggles to reconcile its progressive identity with strong pro-Israel influence.

Meanwhile, over 1,500 actors and filmmakers, including Olivia Colman and Mark Ruffalo, signed an open letter vowing not to collaborate with Israeli film organizations, which they accused of being “complicit in genocide” in Gaza. According to figures from the Hamas-run Health Ministry, considered credible by the UN, nearly 65,000 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory since the Israeli offensive began.

Security ahead of the premiere

Ahead of Wednesday’s screening, Avrich said he would hire his own security team to complement that of the festival, as Toronto police announced a “strong presence” at the event.

The documentary combines interviews, footage from kibbutz security cameras, and material captured by Hamas fighters. Framed in the style of a thriller, it portrays Tibon as a “real-life action hero” reminiscent of Liam Neeson in Taken.

“This is not a political film,” Avrich told The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s wrapped in the flag of a family, not of a country.”